Chapter 183

Everyone turned to see what was going on.
Jim burst into the office, still in his black suit and looking like he’d just sprinted a marathon. His briefcase swung from his hand, and sweat ran down his face.
“Mr. Lane, you should’ve told me you were coming. I could’ve sent a car to pick you up!” Jim dropped his briefcase by the door and hurried over, hands outstretched in a show of respect.
He’d barely gotten back from a business trip overseas when he heard that Mr. Lane was here. He didn’t even stop to catch his breath, just ran straight from the school gate all the way to the office.
Mr. Lane let out a cold snort and pulled his hand back, glaring at Jim. “You’re just in time. You and I need to settle something.”
Jim forced a smile, trying to figure out what he’d done wrong. “Who made you so upset? What happened?” Then he spotted Charlotte standing quietly off to the side, and his face instantly brightened. “Charlotte, you’re here too. Did you come just to see Mr. Lane?”
He turned to her, voice gentle. “How’s school going? Are you getting used to everything?”
Eleanor blinked in surprise, a little thrown by how warm Jim was being. She’d never seen him act so friendly toward a student.
Ronald, on the other hand, looked like he’d seen a ghost. He stood frozen, sweat beading on his forehead. Not only did Charlotte know Mr. Lane, but even Jim was treating her with a kind of nervous respect.
Olivia stood nearby, just as stunned. How did Charlotte get to know someone as important as Mr. Lane?
Charlotte barely looked up, her eyes cool and her lips curving in a small, careless smile. “Not really.”
Before anyone could say anything else, Mr. Lane cut in, voice sharp with anger. “How could she possibly be fine? Lottie’s been accused of cheating and almost kicked out of school!”
He waved his hands, clearly furious. “Did you think you could just pick on her because she’s from the countryside and has no one to stand up for her? I don’t care what your reasons are. She’s been wronged, and I expect an explanation, for both of us.”
“Cheating?” Jin couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His eyes went wide. “No way. Charlotte is the genius you always talk about, the one who’s helped you with all that research, There’s no way shed cheat.” sŵnovel
“This has to be a misunderstanding.”
Mr. Lane’s genius? The one who helped with his research? Was he really talking about Charlotte?
Everyone stared, completely stunned.
Mr. Lane’s voice rose, and he pointed straight at Ronald, who looked ready to faint. “Go ahead, ask him how he insulted Lottie, how he accused her of cheating, and threatened to throw her out of Vanguard High.”
Once he’d had his say, Mr. Lane turned to Charlotte. His tone softened instantly. “Lottie, let’s go. Grandpa will find you a new school.”
With her brains, she could study at home and still ace every exam in the country.
Seeing Mr Lane about to leave with Charlotte, Jim’s face turned pale He hurried to block their path. “Mr. Lane, please don’t be tipset of Charlotte’s really been treated unfairly, make sure she gets justice.”
Losing a student like her would be a disaster for Vanguard High.
Mr. Lane looked away, grumbling, “Too late.”
Charlotte gently patted his hand. Her voice was calm and steady. “Go sit down and take a break.”